Agricultural News

Rethinking the Cow-Calf Business- The Focus of Seven Meetings Planned for This Fall

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 21:05:53 CDT

There will be a series of meetings planned in October and November across northeastern Oklahoma this fall and our coverage from these meetings will be a service in part of Hudson Livestock Supplements.

What was once right may now be wrong, and that could cost cattle producers who do not attend one of a series of "Rethinking the Cow-Calf Business" meetings taking place across northeastern Oklahoma this fall.

"Many producers are being forced to make some very hard decisions; the squeeze between rapidly inflating feed and fertilizer prices and stable-to-lower calf prices are forcing them to take a serious look at how they use their land," said Bill Burton, Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service area agricultural economist.

There will also be a meeting Nov. 11 at 5 p.m. in Pawhuska, although the exact location has yet to be finalized.

"Participants attending the meetings in Ottawa County, Delaware County and Rogers County are asked to RSVP by Oct. 16, Nov. 7 and Nov. 18, respectively, to help ensure we have sufficient meals provided," said Bob Woods, OSU Cooperative Extension area agronomist.

Until recently, the cow-calf industry in northeastern Oklahoma has been largely based on the availability of cheap fertilizer. The OSU Cooperative Extension meetings will focus on current budget realities, the true effect of high fertilizer prices and strategies for managing pastures and cattle more efficiently under current and likely future conditions.

"We've known the optimums for cattle performance for many years, but the optimums need to be redefined," said Kent Barnes, OSU Cooperative Extension area livestock specialist. "It's not that people have been doing things wrong. Conditions are such that the rules have just changed."

Sessions will be led by Barnes, Burton, Woods and Dr. Dave Sparks, OSU Cooperative Extension veterinarian and area food-animal quality and health specialist.